Kano is the experiment, Nigeria is the target, by Engr. Bello Gwarzo Abdullahi, FNSE
His Excellency Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s recent address at the launch of the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps was not just another political appearance. It was a timely reminder of a basic democratic principle that should not be controversial: authority must follow the law, and institutions must be respected. On that score, the position is straightforward—Kano has only one Emir.
That clarity matters because what is unfolding in Kano is neither accidental nor benign. It comes at a moment when the ruling APC appears determined to create a political creature it may not ultimately be able to control. Let us be honest with ourselves. This is not an administrative mix-up or a cultural misunderstanding. It is a carefully staged political project.
Parading two emirs before the same people—one backed by state law, the other propped up by federal power—is an insult to the intelligence of Kano citizens. There is no need to sugar-coat it. This is power politics in its rawest form. The aim is not peace, tradition, or respect for the rule of law. The aim is to weaken resistance, intimidate opposition forces, and compel political submission. Kano, for now, is simply the testing ground.
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What makes this even more troubling is that Kano is not an isolated case. It is part of a broader pattern taking shape across the country. Opposition parties are being squeezed, independent institutions are being bent, and elected officials are being pressured into sudden defections. Governors and legislators are not “crossing the carpet” because of stellar performance or ideological conviction. They are moving because they are afraid of the sheer weight of federal power. Calling this democracy is dishonest. It is coercion, plain and simple.
Within ruling circles, there seems to be a belief that destabilising local leadership and engineering mass defections will guarantee an easy victory in 2027. That belief is deeply flawed—and frankly insulting to Nigerians. People are poorer, more insecure, and more frustrated than they have been in years. Food prices are out of control. Insecurity is spreading. Yet the political elite appears more interested in tightening its grip on power than in addressing the daily struggle for survival. History is clear on one point: power acquired through intimidation rarely endures.
Even more reckless is the decision to drag an ancient institution like the Kano Emirate into this political mess. Once culture, history, and identity are weaponised for short-term political advantage, the damage goes far beyond elections. It creates lasting resentment and a sense of instability that no amount of force can permanently suppress. Silence should not be mistaken for consent, and loyalty extracted under pressure is never a sign of legitimacy.
Kano today is a laboratory for a dangerous style of politics—one that seeks to eliminate dissent by manufacturing institutional chaos. If this experiment succeeds, the independence of state institutions and the sovereignty of the Nigerian voter will be next on the chopping block. Kano is not just a local crisis; it is a warning shot. And every Nigerian, regardless of party or region, would be wise to pay attention.
Written by Engr. Bello Gwarzo Abdullahi, FNSE.Email: bgabdullahi@gmail.com
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